Who said it was easy to stand among the guards of patriarchy and speak for women’s equality? Time and again, voices of fearless women are shushed, and the best weapon men use is slut shaming. Firstly, the concept of lajja (shame) is introduced as an essential part of women’s existence, and then it is thrown on her face if she rebels.

Priya Malik too attempted to make her voice of reason heard using social media. She posted a picture in support of the “Free the Nipple” movement which is quite prevalent on social media but what followed is no surprise to any of us.

While there were few who applauded her boldness, many users instantly started criticizing her. The majority of the comments were personal attacks to slut shame her. One of the users disregarded the update as means to get cheap fame,

Awfull @priyasometimes ! I use To Like u When U Were On Biggboss but For Some Kind Of Sasti Shuhrat U’r Just Reuining the Concept Of Parda…

Interestingly, Priya was ready to shoot down the negative comments and make her stand clear. She replied,

Ruining the concept of parda? Parda from whom? Parda from what? Parda because you find even a mild exposure of the female body titillating? If a woman chooses to cover, it is her choice. If she chooses to reveal, it is her choice. Not yours.

We cannot feel lucky enough as there were men who were speaking for women because, apparently, they have a better understanding of “major issues” concerning equal rights,

Don’t say women! First just check out how many women here would agree with you on this topic of freeing nipples for gender quality. So just keep this to yourself instead of quoting a whole ‘gender’. There maybe women who agree with you but there are women who would never. And there are so many other major issues over gender equality and is freeing the nipple really one among them?

There were many more comments that showcased a range of misogynistic takes on her picture.

The quintessential mansplainer:

Have u heard about iron ornaments kept in locker and gold ornaments in road.? It’s like that. And no men walk in public without shirt. Stop seeking attention. U glam industry people, some bollywood Hollywood porn industry people had made woman as a sexual object.

The conceptualizer:

But men don’t get raped. It’s the women who are becoming the victims. That’s why they have that freedom.